Mental health provision has long been an issue very close to my heart. I have seen first-hand how mental health issues affect friends and family members and can destroy lives. That’s why I set up my Bridge of Hope project in memory of my late father, helping those suffering from mental health issues find a route back into employment.

That’s why I also pay such close attention to the issue of mental health here in Norfolk and why, like so many across our region, I share the great disappointment and concern brought by the news that the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust (NSFT) has been rated inadequate once again – following the CQC’s latest inspection at the end of last year.

As I have so often stated during the last 12 years as a Member of Parliament, I believe the key to ending the “cinderella-ism” of mental health in our national health service is a full and deep alignment of mental health into the NHS itself (through patient pathways, proper service planning and the like). The decision by the Government in 2012 to enshrine parity of esteem for physical and mental health in law was a great step forward, and we have seen a lot of positive progress being made to tackle this issue. I know the Health Secretary is currently driving this agenda forward.

As this latest news around the NSFT shows, however, there is much more that needs to be done – particularly here in the East. I remain firmly committed to working with my fellow parliamentary colleagues in the region, as well as other partners, to do all I can to support the Trust moving forward.

The current Chief Executive assumed his role just two months prior to the CQC’s latest inspection and I believe there is a strong case for trying to instil some stability within the Trust’s leadership by giving this new management the opportunity to deliver the significant improvements and reform we need to see. Standards at the Trust must improve substantially – and quickly. If that isn’t delivered, however, I do not know how serious reform to the Trust itself will be avoidable.

Rest assured, I will continue to be liaising with colleagues in the coming days and will monitor all developments closely.